The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War

8 ways to start a deeper conversation.

Contains spoilers for the entire book.

Discussion topics

Topic 01 of 08

What does Henry Fleming imagine war will be like, and why did he enlist?

There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.

What does Henry Fleming imagine war will be like, and why did he enlist?
Keep the conversation going
- What did his mother's farewell tell him?
- How does waiting affect him?
Why does Henry run from the battle?
Keep the conversation going
- How does he justify his flight to himself?
- Would you have run?
Why does the tattered soldier's question about his wound torment Henry so much?
Keep the conversation going
- What does Henry do to the tattered man?
- What does it say about shame?
How did you feel about Jim Conklin's death?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does Henry follow him?
- What does that scene teach him about war?
What does Henry's 'red badge', a wound given by his own side, mean?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does he let others believe it's a battle wound?
- Is his courage afterwards built on a lie?
How does Wilson, the loud soldier, change, and what does Henry learn from him?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of the packet of letters?
- How do the two young men see each other?
What does carrying the colours mean to Henry?
Keep the conversation going
- Is his later bravery real courage?
- What has he become by the end?
Has Henry grown up by the end, or simply survived?
Keep the conversation going
- What does nature's indifference throughout the book suggest?
- What did you make of the closing image of sunlight through the clouds?

There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.